MF 240 stuck gear problem

[JoshNZ]

I've seen the threads detailing the fix for the classic stuck gear problem for MF240 tractors. We run a fleet of 8 of them for our harvest season 3 months of the year and for us it is the silent grenade waiting to go off in each machine, we forget about it for weeks or months then at seemingly the worst time it could happen... We have a crew of 60 people working amongst 6 MFs running in a constant circuit at the moment and as soon as one sticks in gear it is like a freight train derailing behind it. The crescent wrench and gear unsticker tool are never close enough.

I'm wondering what the fix is to remedy the possibility of it ever happening at all in an older machine that is starting to see it happen more? Can the gates be welded closed then remachined, or the gear selector fork built up with weld then remachined? Where is it exactly the wear occurs that becomes problematic?

Anyone eliminated the problem from coming back by fixing it replacing parts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dman1981]

Quit shifting so fast or replace components but if you still shift like you are racing a few years will do same thing years of experience talking

 

[lpakiz]

Dman has it right. I was a mechanic for a fleet of dump trucks, hauling out of various pits located around several counties. The underpowered trucks were shifted a lot, hence a lot of wear on the rails and the stinger at the bottom of the shift lever.
New drivers would get the forks jammed up. After unlocking them and explaining how that was happening, the incidences became much less common.
We stressed that you must shift very deliberately, pushing the shift lever straight UP or DOWN to neutral, then straight across to your intended selection, then UP or DOWN to your next gear. Square shifting, no cutting or angling across corners.
I also would pull the shift lever out, weld up the worn stinger and grind it to fit the rails.

 

[lpakiz]

And another place that wore fast was the pin or pins at the top of the shift tower. These pins hold the shift lever in and also kept it from rotating, so the stinger stayed straight, down there in the shifter rails.
They were very easy to remove and replace, and indeed, they need to be removed before you can withdraw the shift lever anyway.

 

[Dman1981]

Have to pull trans to change
The forks on those rods come
Out the back

 

[lpakiz]

i believe we could pull just the cover on a 5-speed (with 4-speed auxiliary box) and the rails slide out, after loosening the fork set screws. Not sure how the tractor is set up.
Not only the notches in the rails but the rails themselves AND the grooves in our cast iron covers would eventually get oversize and sloppy.

 

[Dman1981]

Still have to pull top cover interlock
Is in diff side

 

[Farmer495]

I've seen the threads detailing the fix for the classic stuck gear problem for MF240 tractors. We run a fleet of 8 of them for our harvest season 3 months of the year and for us it is the silent grenade waiting to go off in each machine, we forget about it for weeks or months then at seemingly the worst time it could happen... We have a crew of 60 people working amongst 6 MFs running in a constant circuit at the moment and as soon as one sticks in gear it is like a freight train derailing behind it. The crescent wrench and gear unsticker tool are never close enough.

I'm wondering what the fix is to remedy the possibility of it ever happening at all in an older machine that is starting to see it happen more? Can the gates be welded closed then remachined, or the gear selector fork built up with weld then remachined? Where is it exactly the wear occurs that becomes problematic?

Anyone eliminated the problem from coming back by fixing it replacing parts?

Thanks in advance!

I eliminated my 240 gear sticking issues by loosening the nut on the shifter lever and rotating it slightly. My shifter was "crooked" and it would jam, especially during a 4th to R shift in low range. I assume years of use caused it to pivot a little. I shift it a lot when I am using it, especially high range running through the gears on the road.

 

[Dman1981]

You could try changing inter lock first if I remember they wear but if rods are worn might not make any diff have also
Seen them broken

 

[JoshNZ]

It's not me that gets them stuck in gear it's one of any of the drivers who is in a hurry with a team of a dozen waiting for them with full bags etc. The deliberate following of H pattern gets forgotten for a moment.

I've drawn the gearbox assembly in an attempt to educate them on what is going on and how to avoid it. Funny situation that it's impossible to replicate as I can't make it happen no matter how hard I try. I understand what could cause it but I've never directly seen it happen or know which transition causes it.

One of the gear sticks I can actually spin in the socket quite a bit, there must be a sheared pin for that to be happening?

 

[lpakiz]

If the lever spins in the socket, chances are the pin or pins are sheared off or missing.

Lift up the rubber boot and have a look. It's pretty simple under there, if the setup is like a bigger truck transmission.

 

[Dman1981]

Get the pin for gear shift lever first
I will try and get you pic of interlock on backside so you can see it

 

[Farmer495]

It's not me that gets them stuck in gear it's one of any of the drivers who is in a hurry with a team of a dozen waiting for them with full bags etc. The deliberate following of H pattern gets forgotten for a moment.

I've drawn the gearbox assembly in an attempt to educate them on what is going on and how to avoid it. Funny situation that it's impossible to replicate as I can't make it happen no matter how hard I try. I understand what could cause it but I've never directly seen it happen or know which transition causes it.

One of the gear sticks I can actually spin in the socket quite a bit, there must be a sheared pin for that to be happening?

If you can spin the stick it's going to jam. I could never "make" it jam, darn well would jam in forward gear when facing a building or fence too. Limped it home one time in 4th gear to unstick it.

Hired help and a crash box transmission won't mix on a good day. Good thing those 240s are so tough. Not sure what travel speeds you need in use.

 

[Dman1981]

Part 32 and 39 I have seen broken and cracked 38 is the interlock supposed to keep them so you can't get stuck in gear